Process and apparatus for developing films



June 24 1924. 1,499,099 V. C. DE YBARRONDO PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING FILMS Filed Aug. 20, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 24, 1924.

1,499,099 V. C. DE YBARRONDO PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING FILMS Filed Aug- 20, 1921 2 Sheeks-$heet Z 417v igws vs.

Patented June 24, 1924.

UNITED STATES VINCENT C. DE YIBABRONIDO, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

PItOCESS AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING FILMS.

Application filed August 20, 1921.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, VINCENT C. on YBAR- RONDO, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, county of Los Angeles, and State of California, have invented a new and useful Process and Apparatus for Developing Films, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the art of developing photographic film and is particularly adapted to utilization in the development of motion picture film.

In the present methods of motion picture film developing, the undeveloped film is wound upon large reels mounted upon developing vats in such a manner that the lower portion of the reel will be submerged in the solution placed in the vat. The quantities of developing solutions required owing to the size of vat necessary to accommodate the film reels is very large and the cost of same under the present high schedule of chemical prices reaches considerable magnitude, The use of these large reels has heretofore been considered the only successful means of bringing the film into even contact with the developing solutions. Bubbles oftenform upon the films being developed, causing blemishes which necessitate the cutting out of portions of the film.

It is an object of my invention to provide a process wherein spooled film is placed under vacuum in a sealed chamber, this vacuum being relieved by the admission of the developing solution which in occupying the spaces around the film from which the air has been previously exhausted comes into extensive contact with the entire surface of the film, thereby making it possible to accomplish the development of the film in a shorter period of time, with a considerably less expenditure of labor, and at a smaller cost ofmaterials than is possible by the use of thepresent methods.

It is a further object of my invention to provide in this process the application of the developing solutions to the film under pressure, thereby causing a rapid and thorough action thereupon by the solutions.

It is also a further object of my invention to subject the film to a "flow of solutions under high pressure, to increase the action of the solutions upon the films.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a processin which the formation of ubbles upon the film will be eliminated.

Serial No. 493,787.

Other objects and advantages will be made evident throughout the following specification.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only: 7

'Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of an apparatus in which my process may be carrle out, in which view the developing chamber is in section to illustrate the manner in which the film may be placed therein.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the developing chamber shown in Fig. 1, taken pj n a plane represented by the line 22 of Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through a developing chamber similar to the one shown in Fig. 1, but provided with a water jacket for use in controlling temperatures within the chamber.

Fig.4: is a vertical section through a'developing chamber in which the film is loosely placed and subjected to the action of the developing solutions under pressure.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through a developing chamber adapted to the use of forc ing a flow of solution under pressure through a spool 'of film to be developed.

Fi 6 is a fragmentary view of a section of fi in wound with separating wires.

Fig. 7 illustrates the manner in which the film may be loosely rolled to allow spaces between the successive turns thereof for the circulation of the developing solutions.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of a conical spool with film wound thereupon.

Fig. 9.shows a perforated dividing strip which may be used.

Fig. 10 shows a dividing strip having the edges thereof flanged, thus providing ample space for the circulation of developing solutions between the surfaces of the rolled film.

Fig. 11 illustrates the dividing strip.

In the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, a developing drum 15 has connection with solution vats 16, 17 and 18, which are used as containers for the developing solution, fixing solution, and combination solutions for special work, respectively. The pipe 19 which serves as the communicating means between the drum 15 and the solution vats has in it a cross 20 and valves 21 and 22. The lower leg of the cross. 20 leads therein a valve 31 and a three way cock 32. A return from the drum 15 to the solution vats is accomplished through piping 35 in which is situated a centrifugal pump 36 and valves 37 and 38.. The remaining equipment of the drum 15 consists of a valved vent 39, a liquid air tank 40, a pressure indicator 41, a thermometer 42, and a drain 43.

The film may be prepared, as shown in Fig. 10, by winding upon a spool with a ribbon 51 of blotter-like paper or some simillar absorbent material. These prepared spools are placed within the drum 15 and may be supported upon trays 52 which are of such a size that they will pass through the charging door 53 which is provided with a suitable cover 54.

When the drum 15 has been charged with films and the door 53 properly covered, the valves 21 and 26 are opened and the air content of the drum exhausted by the compressor and discharged thereby through the open port of the three-way cook 32 into the atmosphere. Upon the air becoming entirely exhausted from the interior of the drum, the valve 26 is closed and developer from the solution vat 16 is directed through the pipe 19 into the drum. The suction action of the vacuum draws the solution into all of the spaces existing between the film and facilitates its absorption by the dividing ribbon and prevents the formation of bubbles owing to the absence of air. A pressure of several thousand pounds per square inch is then created within the drum by closing valve 21, openin valve 26, and'pumping the solution througfi the piping 30 and the valve 31. When the film has been sufficiently devel- 0 ed, the developing solution is drawn off t rough the valve 38 and the piping 35 and returned to-the vat 16 by the centrifugal pump 36. Fixing solution is then delivered from the vat 17 into the developing drum and put under pressure by the action of the compressor in the same manner as heretofore described and is afterward returned to the vat 17. Water for the purpose of washing thefilm is taken by the compressor from a pipe and forced into the developing drum at high pressure, after which it is allowed to flow off through the drain 43. After again exhausting the air from the interior of the drum to cause the vaporization ofthe water adhering to the film, liquid air or highly compressed air from the tank 40 is expanded into the drum15 through a tube 61, and is allowed to pass therefrom through the drain 43 carrying with it and condensing the moisture.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings I show a develchamber.

vessel 95 having a sealing cover 96.

A thermometer 71 registers the temperature within the jacket 68, while a thermometer 72 is employed to register the temperature within the developing chamber. A pressure indicator 73, a vent 74, and a liquid air tank 75 are employed as designated in Fig. 1. A connection 76 serves as an inlet for the introduction of liquids into the drum 65, 77 constitutes the return connection therefrom, and 78 is a drain.

An excellent method of preparing the film for development is shown. A film 80 is rolled upon a spool 81, the flanges of which are provided with perforations 82 through which the developing solutions may freely pass. Two wires 83 are wound between the turns of the film 80 and lie between the edges 84 thereof as illustrated in Fig. 6. A very preferable form of preparation is that shown in Fig. 8 wherein the film 80 is shown wound upon a conical spool 85 so that the edges 86 of the film will be exposed to facilitate the entrance of the solutions between the turns of film. In Fig. 9, I show a dividing ribbon 87 provided with perforations 88,, while in Fig. 10 is shown a form of ribbon having flanges 89 and perforations 90 which provide for a more extensive circulation of the solutions between the layers of film. The ribbon 91, shown in Fig. 11, has rectangular portions punched therefrom with the result that a latticed formation, comprised of edge strips 92 connected by cross bars 93, is formed.

It is not necessary for success in the practice of my invention to adhere to the type of apparatus and manner ofpreparing the film. for development I have previously described. The film may be run loosely into a The different developing solutions and washing water are then delivered through the pipes 97 leading from the different storage vats to a manifold 98 which directs the fluids into the bottom of the vessel 95. lVhen the different solutions are introduced into the Vessel, a vent 99 isepened to allow the air contained therein to escape before the in flowing solutions. Water for the final washing of the film may be introduced into the vessel through an. inlet 100 and carried therefrom through a drain 101.' In Fig. 5 of the drawings, I show a small vessel 105 in which a spool of film 106 is subjected to a pressured flow of the different solutions which enter and exit through the connections l07 and 108 respectively. A pressure gauge 109 is provided to indicate the pressure within the vessel105. This lastly mentioned apparatus is applicable to'use wherein it is desired to develop only a small quantity of film.

Although I have described my process in the application of developlng photographic film, it is to be understood that it may also be used with equal results in the development of photographic products such as photographic plates and prints.

claim as my invention:

5 1. The method of developing photographic products which comprises: placing said products in a closed receptacle providing an'inclosed space; exhausting, the air from the space surrounding said products; filling said space with developing solution; applying pressure to said develo ing solution; removing said solution rom said space; exhausting the air from said space; introducing fixing solution into said space; applying pressure to said fixing solution; removing said fixing solution from said space; exhausting the air from said space; introducing water into said space for purpose of washing said products; removing water from said space; exhausting the air from said space; and expanding a compressed fluid into said space to carry 0a moisture therein contained.

2. The method of developing photographic products which comprises: placing said products in a closed receptacle providing an inclosed space; exhausting the air from the space surrounding said products; filling said space with developing solution; applying pressure to said developing solution; removing said solution from said space; exhausting the air from said space; introducing fixing solution into said space; applying pressure to said-fixing solution; removing said fixing solution from said space; exhausting the air from said space; causing a flow of water through said space for purpose of washing said products; removing water from said space; exhausting the air from said-space; and expanding a compressed fluid into said space to carry ofi" moisture therein contained.

3. The method of developing hotographic products which compr1ses: p acing said products in a closed receptacle providing an inclosed space; exhausting the air from the space surrounding said products; filling said space witlr developing solution; applying pressure to said developing solution; removing said solution from said space; exhausting the air from said space;' introducing fixing solution into said space; applying pressure to said fixing solution; removing said fixing solution from said space; exhausting the air from said space; introducing water into said space for purpose of washing said products; applying pressure to said water; removing water from said space; exhausting the air from said space; and expanding a compressed fluid into said space to carry off moisture therein contained.

4, The method of developing photographic products which comprises; placing .said products in a closed receptacle providing an inclosed space; exhausting the air from the space surrounding said products; filling said space with developing solution; applying pressure to said developing solution; removing said solution from said space; exhausting the air from said space; introducing fixing solution into said space; applying pressure to said fixing solution; removing said fixing solution from said space; exhausting the air from said space; causing a flow of water under pressure through said space for purpose of washing said products; removing Water from said space; exhausting the air from said space; and expanding a compressed fluid into said space to carry off moisture therein contained.

5. The method of developing photographic products which comprises; placing said products in a closed receptacle providing an inclosed space; exhausting the air from the space surrounding saidproducts; filling said space with developing solution; applying pressure to said develo ing solution; removing said solution rom said space; introducing fixing solution into said space; applying pressure to said fixing solution; removing said fixing solution from said space; introducing water into said space for purpose of washing said products; removing water from said space; and expanding a compressed fluid into said space to carry off moisture therein contained.

6. The method of developing photographic products which comprises; placing said products in a closed receptacle providing an inclosed space; exhausting the air from the space surrounding said products; filling said space with developing solution; removing said solution from said space; exhausting the air from said space; introducing fixin solution into said space; removing said xing solution from said space; exhausting the air from said space; introduc ing water into said space for purpose of washing said products; removing water from said space; exhausting the air from said space; and expanding a compressed fluid into said space to carry ofi moisture therein containe 7. In the treatment of photographic products for the development thereof, the method of applying the difierent solutions thereto in the presence of a partial vacuum, and subsequently applying pressure to said solutions to cause their forcible contact with the surfaces of said products.

8. In the treatment of photographic products for the development thereof, the method of applying the difl'erent solutions thereto in the presence of a partial vacuum.

9. In the treatment of photographic products for the development thereof, the method of applyingthe different solutions thereto, and subsequently applying pressure to said solutions to cause their forcible contact with the surfaces of said products.

10. In an apparatus for developing photographic products, the combination of: a drum provided With a sealing cover; means for exhausting air from said drum and for compressing fluids into said drum; and

means for expanding a compressed gas through said drum to carry off moisture contained therein.

11. In an apparatus for developing photographic products, the combination of: a drum provided with a sealing cover: means for exhausting air from said drum and for compressing fluids into said drum; means for controlling the temperature Within said drum, and means for expanding a compressed gas through said drum to carry off moisture contained therein.

12. In an apparatus for developing photographic products, the combination of: a drum rovided with a sealing cover; means for ex austing air from said drum and for compressing fluids into said drum; gauge means for registering the pressure within said drum; gauge means for registering the temperature Within said drum; and means for expanding a compressed gas through said drum to carry ofi moisture contained therein.

13. In an apparatus for developing photographic products, the combination of: a drum provided with a sealing cover; means for exhausting air from said drum and for compressing fluids into said drum; means for controlling the temperature Within said drum, gauge means for registering the pressure within said drum; gauge means. for registering the temperaure Within said drum; and means for expanding a compressed gas through said drum to carry ofl moisture contained therein.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto setmy hand at Los Angeles, California, this 14th day of July, 1921.

VINCENT C. DE YBARRONDO. 

